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“What’s This”? Contest

Shown above is (part of) a plant that we currently list in our online catalog–though not necessarily from the same photo online. Correctly identify the plant and win free priority shipping on your next order ($10 value or moredepending upon order size).

One of our favorite petrocosmea, it’s so aptly named. It does seem to bloom seasonally (for us, fall through spring), but very heavily when it does. Like most petros, its a small grower, never growing more than 6-8″ or so in diameter and usually smaller.

For those unfamiliar with this genus, its care, and appearance, is similar to African violets. Be sure to use a very light soil mix, containing lots of perlite–they don’t like to be kept soggy. They will tolerate some heat but will look and bloom best without it. They can be a good choice for that “cold spot” in your growing area where other plants sulk.

“Honor roll” of violets. Only two varieties made AVSA’s honor roll of violets in 2014, and both were our hybrids! ‘Rob’s Chilly Willy’and ‘Rob’s Fuddy Duddy’, were honored. These are longtime favorites of ours, and are frequent winners of top awards at shows. Both are extremely easy to grow and bloom, either as houseplants or for show, which likely explains their popularity.

Inventory updates:

Streptocarpus. A number of new hybrids have recently been listed. You’ll also notice more varieties listed than usual. We’ll feature many of the newer ones in future newsletters.

Terrarium and miniature houseplants. We’ve finally caught up on our propagation of these, as well. You’ll find a very wide selection is now (or will soon be) available. Many listings are new!

This month’s question:

I’ve had a (grocery store variety) violet whose blooms were a random mixture of pink and white when I bought it some years ago. I hadn’t bloomed since. I read your article about the influence of light and proper growing conditions, etc. and completely changed its environment and culture. The new blooms now have a distinct/different color pattern in addition to more intense color.

My questions are:
1. Is it normal for light/culture to make this much difference?
2. Is this considered a ‘pansy’ shape flower and is it normal to have the two small petals on the sides?
3. What would this type of violet be called (if it were a named hybrid violet)? A chimera?

Yes, light will make a difference in color intensity in blooms. Good, bright (but not intense or hot) light will both encourage more blooms but also better colored blooms. Other aspects of good culture, like feeding and humidity, will as well. The most influential, though, will be temperature. For most varieties, cooler temperatures (65-75f range) bring out more intense colors, though this often isn’t true for a few varieties, like many with “thumbprint” blooms and some white blooms with colored edges. Also remember that the type (color spectrum) of light, though it won’t change the actual color of the blooms, can make them appear to be differently or more intensely, colored–even if equally bright, not all light (or light bulbs) is the same.

The two most common shapes of African violet blossoms are “pansy” and “star” (there are others, less common). “Pansy” blooms will have petals of unequal size–the top petals typically smaller than the lower petals. “Star” shaped blooms will have equal-sized petals and, because of this, are typically larger in size.

Since your plant came unnamed, can’t be sure how the hybridizer intended it to be classified. It is like not a chimera, though. The term “chimera” refers to the unique genetic properties of the plant that affect its propagation. Most violets, when propagated by leaf cuttings, will produce plantlets that will have an appearance identical to the leaf-donor plant. This is because all parts (leaves or tissues) of the donor plant are genetically the same. This is not true for chimeras. Plantlets produced from leaf cuttings will not have the same appearance as the donor plant, and need to be propagated from only those parts of the plant with that unique genetic makeup–usually the growing tip (crown). Usually, but certainly not always (as in the case of “leaf” chimeras), blooms are pinwheel-striped.

Lots of our customers ask about saucers for the plastic pots we use and sell. Surprisingly, though we can find sources for plastic pots (though finding good pots can be difficult as well), proper sauces seem not to exist. We’ve learned to be creative.

You’ll notice we do sell “saucers” for 4″ pots on our site. Looking closer, you’ll also notice they really aren’t saucers, but are clear food container lids–this is the closest we can find in size and shape to a proper saucer for a 4″ pot, and we can find a supplier of them at a reasonable price. For smaller pots, you’ll need to be even more creative. For example,we use tops from plastic cat litter containers for some of the smaller pots in our personal collection. Made of heavy plastic, deep enough, and depending on the litter “formula” you can get them in different colors!

There are other possibilities as well, if you keep your eyes open. The difficulty in “repurposing” such things is collecting enough of them in a similar appearance, so your plant collection doesn’t look like part of a garage sale. One advantage of having a 16 year old cat is we’ve collected a lot of these saucers!

Are you an AVSA member?

Consider joining! Sign up through our website and get a free plant! For more information, visit www.avsa.org

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THE LATEST NEWS

Coronavirus update:
We continue to ship orders as normal!
However, as a precaution, the shop will be closed to visitors until further notice.

Because of the high volume of spring orders and our being short-staffed, shipment of orders may not be as prompt as usual. Please be patient.

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Plant Care and Other Posts

Plant Care and Other Posts

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY

From Peggy, in OH
Thanks so much for taking such great care with your packaging and shipping. The baby violets arrived today in good condition and I was thrilled to receive them. They will be loved and well cared for. Thanks Violet Barn. You have a customer for life. June 4, 2020

From Suzette, in PA
Just received my order was totally impressed with the packing and the condition of the plants! Thank you so much I look forward to seeing them grow and I will be ordering again. June 4, 2020

From Genevieve, in FL
Thank You so much for my recent order. Though, due to the prevailing shipping delays it took 7 rather than 2 or 3 days to get here, the plants arrived in perfect condition – amazing as they were wrapped up in the dark for over a week and came out perky and lovely. Your plants, packaging and care at every step are greatly appreciated. I am excited I have another order shipping next week! June 4, 2020

From Anna,
I ordered 6 Hoya starter plants from Violet Barn as a first time order. I was blown away by the meticulous packaging of the plants. They all arrived in pristine condition. Although small, as they are starter plants, they appear extremely healthy. I look forward to watching them grow. Notification was sent upon mailing and they arrived in two days. I look forward to more orders from Violet Barn. Very pleased. May 30, 2020